NEW YORK (AP) — Brittney Grinier will start in the WNBA All-Star Game a year after she was named an honorary selection by the league while being held in Russia.
The Phoenix Mercury center was selected by fans, media and players on Sunday for its ninth All-Star game. Last season, all players wore Griner jerseys #42 for the second half of the game in Chicago.
Aja Wilson and Brianna Stewart were among the biggest fans among fans and will be the captains for both teams when the match takes place in Las Vegas on July 15. The appearance of stars. Wilson’s team won the game last year.
Stewart was overjoyed when he got the chance to play Griner again.
“I think we’re all really inspired by what she does and the way she handles herself,” Stewart said of Griner. “So it’s another moment to keep celebrating her and watching her do whatever she wants on the field.”
In terms of drafting Griner, Stewart is hoping she will have the chance even though Wilson has first choice. Wilson led the fan vote with Stewart coming in second. Stewart was the top choice among the players and the media with Wilson second.
Wilson “Team Wilson stays” chirp. “Super blessed! Thank you to all of you who voted for the time to upgrade the city… again.”
Other frontcourt players selected to start include rookie Alia Boston of the Indiana Fever. She will be the first freshman to start the All-Star Game since Shoni Schimmel did it in 2014. Eight freshmen have been selected to start the All-Star Game.
Sato Sabali of Dallas and Nica Ogomek of Los Angeles round out the starting list in the front court.
“It’s one of the highest honors,” Ogwumike said. “Being named an all-time rookie or All-Star is always a blessing. I feel so humbled to be able to play alongside these talented women and professionals to showcase their amazing skills and athleticism to the fans.”
The backcourt players are fellow Las Vegas natives Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, Seattle’s Joel Lloyd and Dallas’ Ariki Ogunbwale.
The backup coaches will be selected by the league’s coaches, who will select three guards, five frontcourt players, and four forwards at either position. Coaches cannot vote for their players. Reserves will be announced on July 1.
Stewart and Wilson will draft the lists of nominees on July 8.
Fan voting accounts for 50% of the votes to determine the start of the game. WNBA players and media board account for 25% each. A player’s score was calculated by averaging his weighted rank from the three groups.
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